Drooling
Sialorrhea, or excessive drooling, is another common non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s. The medications listed below are used either on- or off-label to address drooling. Side effects vary by treatment, but the most common is dry mouth.
Generic Name |
Trade Name |
Notes |
Link |
Patient Assistance |
Brochure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atropine drops | Used off-label to treat excessive drooling. This is an anticholinergic medication, but systemic side effects are less likely because of local, sublingual dosing. |
Prescribing Information | |||
| Glycopyrrolate (and other anticholinergics like benztropine, trihexyphenidyl, and hyoscyamine) | Cuvposa, Robinul, Cogentin, Artane, Levsin/SL, Hyosyne, Oscimin | Used off-label to treat excessive drooling. These are anticholinergic medications, and dry mouth is often a side effect. Possible side effects include confusion, cognitive slowing, hallucinations, worsening of glaucoma, blurry vision, and urinary retention. |
Product Website | Merz Resources and Support | More Information |
| Dartisla ODT |
Orally disintegrating tablets are used off-label for drooling. |
Dartisla ODT | |||
| Scopolamine patch | Transderm-scop | Used off-label to treat excessive drooling. Patch can be an advantage for people with swallowing problems. This is an anticholinergic medication. Possible side effects include confusion, cognitive slowing, hallucinations, worsening of glaucoma, blurry vision, and urinary retention. |
Prescribing Information | Novartis Patient Assistance | |
| Botulinum toxins (onabotulinumtoxinA, rimabotulinumtoxinB, incobotulinumtoxinA) | Myobloc, Xeomin | These medications are injected into the salivary glands. Myobloc and Xeomin are FDA-approved for sialorrhea. Botox is used off-label for sialorrhea. Injections are typically performed every 3 months. Dry mouth is the most common side effects. |
Botox Product Website | Allergen Patient Assistance (for Botox)
Solstice Copay Program (for Myobloc) |